June 2013

June 14, 2013

Author Paul Johnson wrote, “How do we recognize the heroes
and heroines of today?

First, by absolute independence of mind, which springs from
the ability to think everything through for yourself, and to treat whatever is
the current consensus on any issue with skepticism.

Second, having made up your mind independently, to act –
resolutely and consistently.

Third, to ignore or reject everything the media throws at
you, provided you remain convinced you are doing right.

Finally, to act with personal courage at all times,
regardless of consequences to yourself.”

Freedom means different things to different people. Just
hearing the word can evoke images of Americana, political rallies, partisanship,
hotly debated issues, and harsh feelings. It can also call up warm stirrings of
apple pie and Fourth of July celebrations. But I believe the concept of freedom is well embodied in
Paul Johnson’s quote above. For what is freedom if it is not felt at the
individual level? And in exercising those four traits any individual would be
living at a very high level of freedom indeed. But even more than how freedom
is received, those four traits of a
hero may be a huge key to how freedom is preserved.
I would suggest that free societies can only result from, and be maintained by,
such people.

Not everyone, though, will be such a person. From Sturgeon’s
Law (as recently written about in Orrin Woodward and Oliver DeMille’s latest
best seller Leadershift), we know not
to expect more than maybe 10%. As Peter Shift said in a recent radio interview
with Oliver DeMille, “that may even be very optimistic.” But we don’t need
everyone. We only need some . . .

Some who will think independently and decide on real issues
for themselves.

Some who will act resolutely and consistently with those
thoughts.

Some who will ignore and reject the “official story” and the
programming of the agenda-laden media.

And finally, some who will act with personal courage
regardless of the cost.

(This article kicks off a planned series of installments to
be taken from a talk I gave on a recent book signing tour with Orrin Woodward
through the central United States. Of course, this good intention could be
thwarted by any number of distractions, including but not limited to national
emergencies, flash flood conditions at Lake Gaston, manuscript publication
deadlines, leadership conference preparation, and possibly even lunch. The
reader’s patience, as always, is a necessary quality for participation in this
blog, and of course, is greatly appreciated.)